Scoring Chance

The Comebacks #2

by A.J. Truman

A totally fake marriage… with very real feelings.

I'm a carefree bachelor who never wanted kids. But it seems life has other plans.

When my best friend and hockey teammate Tanner Chance finds himself jobless with four kids to support, I suggest a wild marriage. My health insurance can cover Tanner’s family, but to keep nosy coworkers from sniffing out the scheme, the whole Chance clan moves in. Together, we pretend to be one big, happy family.

Suddenly, my sleek apartment is overrun with sticky fingers, loud giggles, and chaotic bedtime routines.

As I stumble my way through parenting, I start to realize the kids and Tanner are finding a permanent place in my heart. But when our fake marriage risks exposure, I risk losing not just my job, but the unexpected family I've grown to love. Will this sham marriage turn into something real before our secret unravels?

Scoring Chance is a single dad, friends-to-lovers, marriage of convenience MM hockey romance. It's book 2 in The Comebacks series, which revolves around a group of former hockey champions recapturing their magic in a local amateur league, but can be read as a standalone. Whether they win or lose, there's always a post-game beer.

Genres: M M Romance, Sports, Hockey, Friends To Lovers, Romance, Contemporary, Audiobook

266 pages, Kindle Edition

Expected publication January 28, 2026

About the author

Welcome! I’m a gay male author who writes MM romance filled with humor, heart, and hot guys. My characters fall into bed and fall in love, usually in that order. Think LOL meets DTF.

I live in central Indiana, surrounded by churches and Olive Gardens, with my husband, kids, and cats. When I’m not writing, I’m chasing around a toddler or sneaking off to a movie.

Make sure to sign up for my newsletter The Outsiders to get the latest updates on my books and to start reading free stories.

http://www.ajtruman.com/outsiders/

Reviews

[Ashley · Rating 5 out of 5]

I loved this one. I love best friends to lovers stories so much, and this was so perfectly done. I love how these two start as more marriage if convenience before realizes they are both idiots. I really liked all 4 kids, too. They each had distinct personalities, and I loved that. Daddy Des was also super fun. I loved it.

[Mélanie · Rating 4 out of 5]

I had a great time reading this book. I can always count on AJ to give us great laughs and the first 25% more than delivered.

I thought both MMCs were endearing and the way their friendship turned into more felt organic. I’m a huge single dad trope fan and seeing Des grow closer and more comfortable with the kids was nice.

I hope Lulu never stops saying “you’re so delusional” 🤣.

“I know it’s fast and unorthodox, but nothing has ever felt this right. They say the best decisions are made in the blink of an eye.”

[Boys From The Bookshelf · Rating 5 out of 5]

This was such a sweet and tender ‘best friends to lovers’ story. High flying ad exec Des, and single dad Tanner get married out of convenience, and when the two move in, their relationship shifts.

It’s so charming, I loved the family dynamic these two characters built, together with Tanners four children.

I swooned, I giggled, I loved the spice and the sweetness. A really enjoyable read from AJ Truman. I’m looking forward to more from ‘The Combacks’ series.

[Julie Underhill · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scoring Chance by A. J. Truman is the second book in his The Comebacks series. It is the story of two men in their 40’s who are opposites, have been best friends since high school where they played hockey together, and fall in love when one of them helps the other out of a bad situation. Max Desmond, or Des as his friends call him, is a workaholic who has a job at the Petty/Marsh Ad Agency and has worked his way up the ladder. His parents didn’t set a very good example for him so his life is work and one-night stands and he doesn’t do relationships. He played hockey in high school and now his former teammates have formed a team called The Comebacks who are pretty good and play in the adult recreational hockey games in town. He has been best friends with Tanner Chance since high school when his family welcomed him when his parents were fighting and they played hockey together then like they do now. Tanner’s wife died in an accident 2 years ago so he has been trying to hold everything together with his job, the kids, and all their activities. One day Tanner calls him, half panicked because he just lost his job after a company merger and is worried that he won’t have health insurance for his family including his 4 kids, Lena, Davy, Dean, and Lulu. Even though Des finds children exhausting, tiring, and dirty he offers to have a fake marriage with Tanner to get him the insurance he needs and after he gets a job they can dissolve it. However, things don’t go the way they planned when people start finding out they married and it really hits home when Des’s boss, Stan, finds out. He’s looking to retire soon and as he is the creative director at the company, he will be deciding who will replace him and Des is one he’s considering. So he invites himself to dinner to meet his family and see how he’s doing which makes Des decide he has to move in with Tanner and the kids. Then there is Kyle, an entitled smarmy coworker who is also up for the job and has been trying to get the details of what is happening so he can use them against Des and he also gets himself invited to the dinner with his family. Des has been a part of Tanner’s family since the children were born and they know him as Uncle Des and he loves them like they are his own. Their actions are typical kid ones with some hilarious scenes when they are trying to take a picture on their sofa for Des to have in his office, their first dinner together as a family with spilled food everywhere, and goat herding while playing hockey, to name a few. They have to get the kids on board so they act like a loving family when Stan comes to dinner. Meanwhile, Des and Tanner have always been close but are now experiencing some romantic feelings which they both hide because they don’t want to lose their close friendship. But soon they can’t help themselves and kiss and since they are sharing a bed this eventually morphs into more with some hot love scenes. But Des pulls away because he is scared of breaking Tanner’s and the kids’ hearts. After a scene with his hockey team where they tell him to either man up and admit his feelings or leave Tanner alone he realizes he wants to a part of this family and to be with him. He talks to him after going home and tells him he wants to be his real husband and that he loves him. Tanner reciprocates and they eventually have another hot love scene. Things come to a head at the ad agency with Kyle trying to take over but luckily Stan knows what is going on so Des, Tanner, and the kids can be together just like they want to. Des has also had some times solving problems with the kids so he realizes he really isn’t a bad Dad and is able to help them out, too. I really enjoyed this story. Des is a total player at the beginning but has always had a soft spot for Tanner and his family and once he starts living with them, he realizes that they are who he wants in his life. Tanner is thoughtful and cautious but is trying to just make it through after all that happened. He is thankful for Des and what he does for him and is able to show him what life would be like if they could be together. They both hide their feelings for each other but they eventually come out and once Des realizes he wants to be a part of this family they go forward together. The kids are a big part of the story as are the members of their hockey team and Stan and Kyle also play a part. One of the things I loved about this story is that you find yourself chuckling and then laughing out loud at many of the things that take place so there is some light heartedness in every chapter as they figure out what they are going to do. I highly recommend this book, especially if you like fake marriage stories that become more, a man with 4 kids trying to get through their days, his best friend who is there to help if he can, and how they turn their marriage into a real one filled with love.

[Frank Chillura (OhYouRead) · Rating 5 out of 5]

I used to be the biggest hater on friends to lovers, but if 2025 taught me one thing, it was to find love in the things I used to dislike. Am I good at always doing that? Nope! But in the case of Des and Tanner, he is the father! I mean, it’s a yes!! I loved them!!

One of the biggest perks in this series is seeing familiar characters again whom I adore from AJ Truman’s series, Single Dad’s Club. ***mental note - I sure do love a single dad book. *** You don’t have to read any other book to feel caught up, they are all interconnected standalones. It’s just a nice added bonus to get more connections and cameos when an author does series that take place in the same town/world.

Scoring Chance takes us straight (or curved slightly) into the 25 year friendship of Tanner and Des. They’ve been best friends since way back when, played hockey together in college and have been in each other’s lives forever. Now, when one of them is going through a rough patch, it makes sense for the other to step up.

Tanner is the father to 4 incredible kids. After the death of his wife, he’s had the sole income to provide for them… until he’s let go from his job.

Des isn’t shy about his sexual escapades. After having cancer and going through chemo, he’s put on his big boy panties (or not… he can freeball if he wants to!) and is living his life. But when his best friend calls him frantic, he comes up with a plan to help.

They’re getting married! Yes, it could be seen as insurance fraud, just to get them all covered while Tanner finds a new job, but no one needs to know.

It’s all supposed to stay quiet, but when Des’ boss sees a change in his insurance claims stating that he’s newly married, he wants to meet the family. His workplace frenemy, on the other hand, doesn’t believe he could so easily stop being a playboy and settle down.

It all becomes too real too quickly as they make their fake marriage look much more legit. The lines get blurred and the pillow lines in the bed get crossed. And we all know what happens anytime the word fake is put in the front… fake becomes factual.

We got a plethora of tropes that I love in this book. So if you love any of the following as much as I do, then this book is an immediate must-read:

•friends to lovers
•fake dating/marriage
•marriage of convenience
•forced proximity
•single dad

Thank you to the author for my gifted ALC. Nick J Russo and Alexander Cendese were incredible. I love dual narration so much and it is a need when it comes to MM Romance. Their voices are magical and brought me straight into the book!

[Sabrina · Rating 4 out of 5]

Des and Tanner have been best friends for a very long time. They’ve been there for one another at the worst times of their lives, like when Des went through chemo and when Tanner lost his wife. There is nothing these two wouldn’t do for one another. So when Tanner unexpectedly loses his job and is worried about how he is going to take care of his four kids, Des comes up with a bit of a crazy plan. Getting married. If they are married Tanner and his family will be on his insurance in case something happens while Tanner finds a new job. So that is what they do. But things get complicated quick when Des finds out that he is up for a promotion and the person promoting him learns he is recently married and likes to see him settled. He can’t tell him the marriage is a sham to help his best friend. They’ll have to fake it. Even if it means moving in with Tanner’s family. But the lines begin to blur between what is real and not real. And they’ll have to figure out if crossing the line from friends to more is worth the risk. For Des, he never imagined settling down. Not with how he grew up. He was so sure that being with one person, having a family, it wasn’t for him. But being with Tanner? Spending time with his kids who he has known their entire lives? It hits him different and for the first time he wonders if this is what home feels like. And for Tanner, losing his wife and raising his four kids alone has been the hardest thing he has had to face. But he’s doing it. And now falling for his best friend? As scary as it is, it also feels so right. Des and Tanner were so good together. These two had a genuine friendship and that has stood strong for so long. And while the thought of getting together crossed their minds more than once in their lives, neither would risk it. But it’s all about timing for them. And now is their time and they both deserve so much happiness after what they’ve been through. I loved seeing them go from friends to more. A fun story all around and I’m looking forward to more books in this series!

I received an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

[Sunshine · Rating 5 out of 5]

SCORING CHANCE - AJ TRUMAN

This is book two in The Comebacks series and a great continuation of this group of friends who gather every week to play hockey for love of the game.

Des is living the playboy single life, enjoying his freedom, and “no commitment” hookups. Until his best friend since high school loses his job and needs his support, and the term multitasking will definitely come into play when this occurs.

Tanner is a widower with 4 kids and Des has been his best friend so long, he wouldn’t turn to anyone else for comfort during this latest upset in his life. So he texts Des and they banter back and forth without hesitation, knowing they are there for each other no matter what.

It was Des who decided a fake marriage was the answer to help Tanner, because then he could put his family on his insurance in case an emergency happened and it would give Tanner time to find a new job.

The dynamic between them is so amazing and they know each other so well after more than 25 years, that it seemed a no brainer for Des and Tanner to portray a happy family to the outside world that felt so natural to them.

There are wonderful characters throughout the story, and some great laugh out loud moments, you will not want to put the book down until you know how Des and Tanner find their HEA. AJ Truman knows how to engage readers and is always worth the read. I look forward to the next story in this series.

[Ramon · Rating 5 out of 5]

🏒BOOK REVIEW🏒

I read Scoring Chance by A.J. Truman
⭐️⭐️��️⭐️⭐️ (5/5 stars)

Synopsis: We follow Tanner, single dad to four kids, when he gets laid off at his job he panics because he won’t be able to provide insurance for his kids and especially after the tragic death of their mom, his wife. His best friend, Des, bachelor and career driven, devises they should get married and pretend to be married so Tanner can join in on his insurance. We’re thrusted in this fake marriage scheme between two best friends who love each other, but the lines starts to blur as domesticity kicks in.

Review: A.J. Truman does it yet it again. Second book in The Comeback series, 10th book in this gay universe Truman’s created and I truly loved reading this book. Just like Truman’s other books, this one was just so stinking cute. I love this interconnected universe set in the fictional town of Sourwood Truman has created, and I really loved some cameos of other couples from previous books as we get see where they are years after their own books has come out.
I feel like a broken record here, but I’m not the biggest fan of friends to lovers (although now I should say that opinion has changed, seeing a lot of romance I’ve read recently are friends to lovers) but this book was perfect. We really see how Des and Tanner have been by each others side since they were kids, how Tanner’s kids all love and look up to their “uncle Des” and how their relationship turned into something more. Lots of humor and laughter throughout, heartfelt moments and I couldn’t stop smiling from ear to ear throughout this book. This book is up there with a favorite, and I’m excited for the third book and what’s to come next in this town of Sourwood and these queer dads who are finding love.

Have you read Scoring Chance? What did you think of it? Comment down below ⬇️

🏒🌈🫟

[Arian · Rating 5 out of 5]

4.5 stars rounded up.

I had been looking forward to this book since reading the first in the series and it was the perfect, sweetest, family-focused romcom. You can always count on AJ's books to be funny and this one was no exception. I lost track of how many times I laughed while reading this.

The characters are older (early 40s) and the writing reflects that. The maturity that comes with age influences their communication and the decisions they make without anything feeling stilted. There is still so much wonderful yearning and so many lovely tender moments. I loved Des and Tanner and very much enjoyed their journey to their HEA.

I will say this is a very family-oriented story (while still having a good amount of spice) so if you are someone who doesn't like kids to be part of your romance reads, it might not be for you. However, I loved the kids and especially loved Des' journey from fun uncle to invested and loving stepdad. He doesn't always do it perfectly but he loves the kids perfectly nonetheless and that's what matters. The kids are always at the forefront of how Des and Tanner navigate things and I appreciated that realism.

There were also so many fun cameos from so many of my favorite AJ characters. I can't wait for whatever comes next in this series!

Final note that there is discussion of grief after the loss of a parent as a kid.

[Bianca · Rating 5 out of 5]

5 stars ⭐️

GUYS THIS BOOK WAS SOO GOOD 😭 I really enjoyed the first book from this series so when I saw the early release of the audiobook in the author’s website I had to get it immediately!!

I personally am not the biggest fan of the friends to lovers trope but throw in single dad and adorable kids?? I am so in 🥹 Lulu is probably one of the cutest fictional kids I’ve ever come across, “you’re so delusional” being my new vocal stim 😂 Des has also always been so good with the kids. Even when he didn’t think he could be a “family man” he’s been one 🥹

Of course, I also really love Tanner and Des’ friendship. I mean yes it’s friends to lovers but their dynamic was just so natural 😭 I could probably listen to their normal domestic life and be content 😌

LAST BUT NOT THE LEAST let me give all my flowers to Nick J Russo and Alexander Cendese!!! I’ve listened to audiobooks with them as narrators before but I don’t think it’s ever been this good? Their delivery was absolutely phenomenal like I probably looked deranged laughing and smiling out of nowhere in the middle of my commute 😂

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS BOOK and dare I say I might be rereading this throughout the rest of the year 👀 Can’t wait for the rest of the series!!!

[Pontiki · Rating 4 out of 5]

Having 4 kids and losing his job has Tanner in a tailspin. His best friend and hockey teammate, Des, offers to marry him for insurance for the family. Des is a bachelor and doesn’t like mess, and that’s all Tanner has.

They both have reason to make it look real, Des for a promotion and Tanner for their friends. They explain it to the kids when Des moves in, and he begins the role as a stepparent.

Everything is so natural that when talk turns to sex and Tanner reveals he hasn’t had sex in 2 years, Des offers to help him out.

They begin hooking up, but of course find themselves falling in love. Des gets scared because he never expected to be in a family, but he knows Tanner and the kids, they’re wonderful together, and he sees that it’s what he’s needed all along.

When Tanner is offered a job they talk things over, and with Des’ new promotion Tanner can be a full time Dad, his dream come true.

I love the way Des comes into his own as a parent, and how the kids keep them both grounded. Tanner is a sweet father, trying to be everything to his kids and work full time, but realizing he can’t. They complement each other perfectly.

I received this ARC for free and am glad to provide my honest review with appreciation.

[Molly Otto · Rating 5 out of 5]

It's not often I enjoy marriage out of convivence stories, but this one just hit right. Tanner & Des have been best friends for over thirty years and have been through all the ups and downs by each other's side. These two have completely different lives and that works for them and this lasting friendship. Their bond is what makes them last despite their differences, knowing no matter what they will have the others backs. When Tanner is laid off, Des steps up to give him a comfort for him and his four children while he looks for a new job. Thank you, AJ, for giving each of these children their own distinct personalities, with separate relationships with both Des and Tanner, if you write a single dad romance take note this is how it should be handled. There is that perfect balance of chaos in a household along with tender moments that bring this family closer together. I adored everything about this story, tropes that usually are not my go to just worked when the pieces fell as Aj orchestrated for them to lay. It was nice to see old friends pop back in to see how their lives have gone since leaving their story and I look forward to these with each installment of this South Rock Universe.

[SNik · Rating 4 out of 5]

Second in series (The Comebacks), but can be read as a standalone. Best friends to lovers. Single dad. Marriage of convenience. Demisexual representation. Mature characters. Slow burn. Dual POV.

Best friends since high school, Des is the perpetual bachelor that wants to help out his widower friend Tanner get insurance for his family by offering a fake marriage. But once they have to make it look real, living together and spending time as a family strengthens the longtime love they already felt.

It was very clear in this story that Des and Tanner are best friends, being there for each other for more than 25 years so it was easy to see how their platonic love transforms into romantic love. They also have the hurdle of Des never wanting a family but loving being a part of Tanner’s family in a way he never expected. I enjoyed their closeness, the way they support each other, the true glimpses of how hard being a parent is, and that they find being physical with each other fun with no angst. Of course there are hesitations given their very different lives and how they will work that out, but their love is obvious and unavoidable. 4.25

[Sandie Chraponski · Rating 5 out of 5]

I don’t know if you are ready…

I’m somewhat new to the world of AJ Truman, but let me tell you this is a world I’m glad I found. AJ likes to say he writes stories with “humor, heart and hot guys”, and he definitely does that, but that’s a broad statement for what he really does. What he really does is write characters that are so real that you want to go to PTA meetings with Tanner & Russ, you want to sit in an ice rink and watch them play hockey. You just want to be a part of their imperfect, yet somehow perfect world.

Tanner and Des have been friends since high school, they’ve been there for each other’s happy highs and gut wrenching lows. So when Tanner is faced with a new low it is a no brainer for Des to step in and step up, and that’s when it gets really good.

AJ writes addictive stories I can’t stop reading, and I’m not going to even try. I’m just going to sit back and enjoy these worlds he writes, because right about now, sweet, steamy, funny stories are what my heart needs.

[Linda · Rating 5 out of 5]

🏒Hockey partners turn husbands for the kids😍

Loved Des and Tanner's best friends turned married couple even more than the first book in this Comebacks series. It's a welcome change having the hockey players in this series be mature men with a bit of dad bod forming and the kind of problems that everyday readers can relate to. They are great together, supporting each other through difficult times and turning scorching hot when they finally let go. But just as important as the developing love story was the way Des, the confirmed bachelor and no-family man, connected with and cared for Tanner's four children, especially hockey-obsessed Davey and teenage oldest sister Lena.

Heartwarming; minimal, temporary angst; blistering steam; and a general overall hopeful, happy feel. And the story arc for Des's nemesis at the ad agency: so satisfying!

So glad I found this author's work. I'm eager for more stories to come in this series.

I read a complimentary advance copy of the book; this is my voluntary and honest opinion.

[Sarah · Rating 4 out of 5]

If there’s one thing AJ Truman always nails it’s writing believable kids who actually speak & act their age! 🙌

*I received an arc of this book, all opinions are my own*

It’s a tale as old as the failing US Healthcare system: two childhood best friends get quickie married so the one with four kids, who just lost his job, can get them all on his bestie’s health insurance plan.

What would us marriage of convenience/fake marriage + forced proximity lovers do in a world with Universal Healthcare?!

That being said, this was a very sweet friends to lovers romance. The start is a bit “wait what?!” but it all comes together very quickly. I really appreciated how each of Tanner’s four kids had their own unique personalities & (Uncle) Des loved them from the day they were born, he just had the realization that he wanted to be their legal & official parent/family too.

We get just the right amount of cameos by characters of AJ’s previous books, so I do think it’s easier if you’ve read at least book one in this series first before diving into this story.

[Sharon · Rating 4 out of 5]

4.5*
Scoring Chance
BFF’s and a Fake Marriage, what could go wrong.

ARC Review
This Book was so wonderful and sweet and yet made me love Sourwood even more. The heart of all the characters Truman writes is so beautiful.
From giggling at Tanners surname (I am that girl) to falling for Des, against all my better judgements I had made about him from his cameos in previous books this story shows the realties of family life, especially with a rowdy bunch and how a messes can be miracles you did not know you needed and how you can heal from your past and be a better person than you knew you ever could be – just going to say the tree in the garden and the late night forest outing (not what you think either)
I would highly recommend this book, it was brilliant from start to finish, sweet, fun and also a little heartbreaking (but only a little) and the only negative thing I have to say is that now I have to wait until the next book The Comeback series, and it has made me want to re read all the other Sourwood books.

AJ Truman never fail – Thank you

[Thingsnbooks · Rating 5 out of 5]

ARC:

Tanner and Des have been friends for over 20 years. They have been through death of a spouse and cancer together, plus fighting attraction to one another. I mean some lines like a lifelong friendship is one that sex can blur lines, but love will destroy all lines.

I loved how real Tanner was,especially when he had his insecurities about how he is raising his kids. As a parent, I understood not only his worries but the line "about having someone tell you, you made a bad call". I have wished I had someone tell me in real time that I made a good choice or bad one in that moment.

Des being anti relationship, kids, and marriage made his moment of realization felt earned. We know from not only Des, but everyone else how he loved being a bachelor. So, to see him fall in love with the craziness of being a dad to four and loving it was sweet. I also loved how no one shamed Des for being a bachelor.

The kids were cute and the cameos made Sourwood truly feel like a small town.

[jæ_cœb · Rating 5 out of 5]

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Six Star Read!
Thank you A.J. Truman for the ARC! I knew the chances of me loving this book were very high and boy did I LOVE it! I’ve read pretty much all of A.J. Truman’s books, but Des and Tanner’s story was by far one of my favorites. This is a great story about how much life can surprise you. We go through life thinking we have a very clear cut idea of what we want, and sometimes life events happen and you surprise yourself. I particularly loved the character growth for Des. Particularly his relationship with Tanner’s oldest daughter Lena. It reminded me very much of conversations I’ve had with teenage students over the years. The rest of the kids were just adorable and Tanner is such a perfect father. I also loved seeing all the different characters from Truman’s other books making cameos. Particularly my favorites Cal and Russ. The book comes out January 28th. I hope you enjoy as much as I did.

[CatOnABlueBackground · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is the second in the Comeback series (the Comebacks are a group of friends who play hockey together). You don't have to have read the first one to enjoy this one.

Des & Tanner are teammates and friends since high school. Tanner's wife died several years ago leaving him with 4 kids to raise on his own. He was getting by until he loses his job. Des offers to marry him for the health insurance, and Tanner immediately accepts. This is a fake marriage that turns real. There's some drama with Des' job - he's trying to get the top spot at work and one of his coworkers wants to sabotage him, and some drama with Tanner trying to find a new job. Any drama between Des & Tanner is resolved pretty quickly. Medium spice. Lots of kids in this one - I enjoyed the children - they were pretty realistic.

Looking forward to the next book.

[Alix · Rating 5 out of 5]

Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

My thoughts:

To quote lulu “you’re so delusional.” I loved this story. Des and Tanner are so perfect for each other. Their banter was everything! Also those spice scenes 😍😍

I really really loved Des. For someone who didn’t want a relationship or kids, he sure did make an amazing fake dad to Tanner’s kids. He was so sweet and caring to them. Just made me swoon!

I loved that Tanner got a second chance at love after something devastating happened to him and his family and that he was able to open up with his kids and find happiness. It just made the whole book so sweet and heartfelt.

Such a perfect friends to lovers story. 10/10 for me.

Thank you so much A.J. For the ARC!

[Raven and Chris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Ok at first blush, I am not a Des fan, and not because of what he is doing when the book starts. 😲 He seems a bit selfish, but he certainly knows what he wants out of life…or at least he thinks he does. Tanner is his polar opposite, enough so that is honestly amazing they are as close friends as they are. The thing about Des though is he is incapable of letting his best friend down. They both need each other and not just for insurance purposes. A really good book can make me reevaluate an opinion on a character and this one achieves that. Tanner is eternally patient, but totally exhausted. Des grows up along the way and realizes Tanner’s family feels like home; the home he needed, not the one he dreamed of.

[Mary · Rating 4 out of 5]

AJ gives us another delightful story in this world where three series intersect. Yes, you get cameos, characters from the other books but you can totally read Des and Tan's adventure as a standalone. We met Tanner and Des in the prequel (so smexy!), best friends, one successful ad man/bachelor, one single dad/widower and newly unemployed with no insurance. So we get a modern marriage of convenience, a not so subtle jab at the state of health care in this country. Gasp, we get best friends to lovers, sigh. Love how AJ gives us real children, messy, cranky, loving, goofy. Some angst but not really. The teammates on The Comebacks are truly a family, Hank is the perfect non best man. In fact Hank's HEA is next and based on the blurb, it's going to be so good!

[Naomi Estrada · Rating 5 out of 5]

I received the ebook and audio ARC for the latest book in The Comebacks Series, and... I’ve listened to it twice and am on my second reread. I keep highlighting EVERYTHING.

Best friends to husbands to lovers is essentially everything. Readers of the series were already seeing what was between the lines in Gross Misconduct. Des and Tanner already had chemistry on the ice during a game, and even as “just friends,” you could feel the sizzle of their connection.

Now take that and let it sit under the flames of “marriage of convenience.” Let simmer.

“He smiles back, and the way he looks at me—

It’s not just friendly.
It’s not just nothing.”

A.J. Truman was my gateway author to MM Hockey Romance. The Comebacks aren’t in pro sports. They had an amazing time playing in high school and moved on to all the other grown-up shit we’re supposed to do when we have talent but not “enough.”

Best friends who grew up together, who suffered and mourned together, built a bond that’s better than “ride or die.” Honestly, best friends like that just get to ride and live spectacularly, accidentally amazing “mundane” lives together.

“There’s something holy about this. After everything he’s been through, the fact that he trusts me with this moment. The fact that I’m the one here with him now.”

Now, they’ve got this on lock for forever, and they didn’t even know it.

[Adrienne2020 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Scoring Chance includes some of my favorite themes: Friends to lovers, fake relationship, only one bed, bi awakening, single dad, and even demisexual representation! Des and Tanner have been friends forever and due to several unfortunate life events, single dad Tanner is in need of some help for his four kids. Enter Des - the career-focused eternal bachelor best friend. Des and Tanner embark on a fake relationship journey that starts feeling pretty real before too long! Five stars for this romantic, sweet, funny, and steamy story of friendship and love.

I received an ARC audiobook in exchange for my honest review.

[Virginia · Rating 5 out of 5]

Another hit by AJ Truman! As much as I loved Gross Misconduct, I think I love this one more. The second in The Comebacks series, this focuses on Des and Tanner, best friends since high school who could not be more different. When Tanner finds himself in need of help, Des proposes a fake marriage. Over time, these two realize that they have real feelings for each other. Just like all Truman novels, the side characters are just as good as the mains. I also like how all of his other series take place in the same small town so you get some overlap throughout all his books.

[Brooke (reads by b) · Rating 4 out of 5]

Tanner and Des🤍
Friends-to-lovers
Marriage of convenience
Single Dad + Bachelor turned instant dad
Demisexual Rep
Sharing one bed
Forty something MCs
Found Family

I really enjoyed this one ! AJ Truman is an instant read for me and this one did not disappoint. It had me laughing from the very first scene. This probably goes to top 3 friends to lovers for me! I normally stay away from this trope, but the way they so seamlessly figure their way in their relationship worked perfectly for me!

Nick J Russo and Alexander Cendese really bring this book to life with their narration!

[ReadingMyAnxietyAway · Rating 5 out of 5]

What else can I say other than... I loved it! I bounced back and forth between the book and the audio and both were so excellent!

The pining and the sweetness... ugh so precious Tanner and Des deserve the world! Also the kids were the funniest most precious characters ever. And all the callbacks and references to previous books were *chef's kiss*! Looking forward to the next book in the The Comebacks series.

[Dee H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Omg, I loved this great romantic story of Tanner, a widower with 4 children, and Des, a man who thinks romance, love and marriage are for other people.
These 2 men in their 40's have been best friends for most of their lives.
After different tragedies hit both men, can their friendship survive what happens when circumstances lead to one bed and happy family lies?
So well written and I love all the family dynamics in this book and hockey, who doesn't love hockey?

[Melduk · Rating 4 out of 5]

This low angst second book in the comebacks hockey series was very family focused. Des found his transformation from playboy to family man much easier than he imagined. Tanner and Des were very much the definition of opposites attract. This is a very enjoyable series where the characters play a factor in each other’s stories. Looking forward to book three